Restaurant fees could increase

Monday

May 27, 2013 at 8:59 PM

Restaurants and other establishments that sell food would pay increased permitting fees to the state to cover improved food inspection services from the Office of Public Health under a bill that neared final passage with the backing Monday of the Senate Finance Committee.

Restaurants and other establishments that sell food would pay increased permitting fees to the state to cover improved food inspection services from the Office of Public Health under a bill that neared final passage with the backing Monday of the Senate Finance Committee. J.T. Lane, assistant secretary for the Office of Public Health, said Gov. Bobby Jindal’s 2013-14 budget proposal assumed the passage of the legislation and anticipates the $1.7 million. The money would pay for current employees of the retail food inspection program, along with technology upgrades to better-coordinate inspections, supplies and travel costs. “With the financial situation that we’re in, this is something that we’re counting on,” Lane told the Finance Committee. The proposal (House Bill 337) by Rep. Nick Lorusso, R-New Orleans, already has received House approval. It heads next to the full Senate for consideration. The price tag for a permit varies by type of retail food establishment. Permit costs would be boosted by about 50 percent, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office analysis. Temporary or special event permits, like for fairs and festivals, would be exempt from the fee hike.